Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Georgia to Turkey
For families bringing someone home to Turkey. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Georgia to Turkey: what to expect
Georgian nationals form a significant labour migrant community in Turkey, concentrated in Istanbul and the Black Sea coastal provinces of Trabzon and Artvin, given Georgia's shared border with Turkey. Georgia and Turkey have bilateral trade agreements and close economic ties. Many Georgian nationals work in trade, domestic service, and construction in Turkey. Georgian documentation in the Georgian script requires certified Turkish translation for Turkish civil registry purposes. The Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi handles consular matters.
- Key document: Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (requires certified English translation)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency promptly.
- All Georgian-language documentation requires a certified English translation for Turkey acceptance.
Step by step
Timeline: Georgia to Turkey
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of Turkey: +90 312 292 2000).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (requires certified English translation) obtained.
Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency. Prosecutor's Office may be involved.
Local funeral director and registry
Turkey Embassy in Tbilisi notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Turkey
Once all documentation complete. Turkey cargo terminal
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Turkey funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in Georgia
After a death in Georgia, the family should contact the local emergency services on 112 and have the death formally certified. It is then registered with the Civil Registry Agency, and a local death certificate issued, which usually takes 5-10 days. Where a death is violent, suspicious or unexplained, the Prosecutor's Office takes jurisdiction and may order a post-mortem before the body can be released. Once the paperwork is complete, the body is embalmed, sealed in a zinc-lined coffin, and flown to Turkey as air cargo, where a receiving funeral director takes custody. Most cases take 1-2 weeks from the death to arrival in Turkey.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Georgia to Turkey
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Georgia to Turkey takes 1-2 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 7-10 days. Complex cases can take 3-6 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency promptly.
The core documents are: Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (certified English translation required), Prosecutor's clearance (for unnatural deaths), Embalming certificate, Export permit, Freedom from infection certificate. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Turkey Embassy in Tbilisi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Turkey Embassy in Tbilisi as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths require a post-mortem, which adds time. The body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Turkish funeral director (cenaze firması) takes custody at Istanbul Airport (IST) cargo terminal. A transit certificate (transit belgesi) must accompany the remains. The municipality (belediye) registers the death. The Turkish Ministry of Health clearance is required. All foreign documents require certified Turkish translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local municipal authorities.
Cremation in Georgia is available. Bringing the ashes home to Turkey is an option alongside full body repatriation.
In Turkey
When the body arrives in Turkey
The Turkish funeral director (cenaze firması) takes custody at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) cargo terminal. A transit certificate (transit belgesi) must accompany the remains. The municipality (belediye) registers the death in the nüfus müdürlüğü (population directorate). The Turkish Ministry of Health clearance is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documents not in Turkish require certified Turkish translation. (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Turkey. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +90 312 292 2000 (24 hours). The Turkish Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Georgia, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Turkey.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Georgia (gov.uk) · Georgia repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions